Colombia forces kill 7 FARC rebels

Colombian Defense Minister Juan Carlos Pinzon said Monday that the authorities killed at least seven members of the rebel Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) on Sunday.

"In an initial operation, seven terrorists were killed and five others captured," he said.

The operation was carried out in a rural region of the town of Puerto Concordia in Meta province, where the authorities also seized arms and communication equipment.

"To the extent that there are armed groups in Colombia engaged in terrorism or activities against the Colombian people, public (security) forces will tirelessly take actions against any organization that threatens the interests of the Colombian citizens," said Pinzon.

Pinzon's comments came in the wake of initial attempts by the Colombian government and rebel leaders to negotiate the start of peace talks aimed at ending nearly 50 years of armed conflicts.

Also on Monday, top FARC leader Rodrigo Londono, alias "Timochenko," said in a taped video message that the leftist group would approach the peace talks "without rancor or pride."